'Black Sunday' protesters call for property tax reform
melissa.patterson@indystar.com
Crowds dissipate after hours of demonstrations, speeches
A protest against sharply increased property taxes ended with 40 minutes of speeches on Monument Circle early this afternoon.
Protestors called for a clean slate in all levels of state and local government, some vowing to vote against every incumbent in the November election.
Others swapped stories with fellow homeowners in the crowd who shared their financial pain.
Steve and Constance Vinson moved into their Washington Township home shortly after their 2-year-old, Elizabeth, was born. This year they saw a 170 percent increase their tax bill, Constance Vinson said.
"We just moved here from Chicago because we thought it was more affordable," Steve Vinson said. "Now we realize it's not."
Steve and Constance Vinson moved into their Washington Township home shortly after their 2-year-old, Elizabeth, was born. This year they saw a 170 percent increase their tax bill, Constance Vinson said.
"We just moved here from Chicago because we thought it was more affordable," Steve Vinson said. "Now we realize it's not."
1:15 PM -- Protesters have run-in with motorist
Some property tax protesters blocked a street and screamed at vehicles as the “Black Sunday” rally moved from the Statehouse and back to Monument Circle.
Several participants surrounded a sport-utility vehicle on Illinois Street at Market Street, pointing their fingers and yelling into the open windows.
The SUV accelerated toward pedestrians several times, but stopped short of hitting them.
Police said no injuries were reported and the crowd was generally peaceful.
Several car break-ins were reported in the area of the rally, police said.
Police said no injuries were reported and the crowd was generally peaceful.
Several car break-ins were reported in the area of the rally, police said.
12:00 PM -- Rally moves to Statehouse
To the blare of a bugle and shouts of “Charge!” protesters left Monument Circle and marched one block to the Indiana Statehouse to carrying on the “Black Sunday” rally over property taxes.
The Statehouse was closed, but two local officials tried to talk to the crowd. Marion County Treasurer Mike Rodman and State Rep. David Orentlicher, D-Indianapolis, climbed the steps to speak, but the crowd was in little mood to listen.
After being overwhelmed by jeers, Orentlicher gave up and walked away.
“I know people are frustrated and understandably so,” Orentlicher told The Star. “People should not have to lose their homes over property taxes.”
The crowd listened to Rodman, but he was surrounded by angry taxpayers as he stepped down. Rodman looked worried, but was able to leave unscathed.
Read more at the Indy Star.
The rally remained outside the Statehouse.
After being overwhelmed by jeers, Orentlicher gave up and walked away.
“I know people are frustrated and understandably so,” Orentlicher told The Star. “People should not have to lose their homes over property taxes.”
The crowd listened to Rodman, but he was surrounded by angry taxpayers as he stepped down. Rodman looked worried, but was able to leave unscathed.
Read more at the Indy Star.
The rally remained outside the Statehouse.
posted by Floyd County Democratic Party at
7/15/2007
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